MICHAEL KEANE says the fact Burnley have two players in the England squad for the first time in 42 years is testimony to their progress under Sean Dyche.

Centre back Keane and goalkeeper Tom Heaton have been outstanding as the newly-promoted Clarets have moved up to ninth in the Premier League following home wins over Everton and Crystal Palace and an away draw with Manchester United.

Not since April 1974 when midfielder Martin Dobson and goalkeeper Alan Stevenson were both in the England squad for a friendly with Portugal in Lisbon have Burnley boasted two England squad members.

Both Keane and Heaton started their careers at Old Trafford but have blossomed under Dyche’s management at Turf Moor.

Heaton won his first cap as a substitute for Joe Hart in the pre-Euro warm-up against Australia in May and has stayed in the squad ever since. Keane was a late call up to the squad for the trip to Slovenia last month but was in Gareth Southgate’s initial party for Friday's World Cup clash with Scotland and the friendly with Spain.

He said: “Its massive for Burnley. It's rare for a club like us to have two players representing them. The club are really proud of us.

“We had a bit of a bad result against Southampton but since then the lads have had some good results - two wins at home and great result at Old Trafford. I feel I've been performing well and playing well in general.

“I was over the moon to be called up last time but to be in the initial squad this time is a great feeling. It was a very proud moment,. From being a little boy playing football and coming through the ranks all you want to do is play for England.

“If I got the chance to play, it would mean everything to me and it would be a proud moment for my family as well.”

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Gareth Southgate faces a World Cup tie against Scotland before a friendly against Spain

Keane says settling in with the England seniors has been helped by the fact he knows interim boss Gareth Southgate, coach Steve Holland and some of the players from playing for the under 21s.

“I'm very familiar with Gareth and Steve and some of the players from the two years I had at under 21 level,” he added. “I felt comfortable last time but I feel much more ease with everyone. Now I’m familiar with my surroundings I just want to kick on. I just want to show the manager what I’m capable of."

He has backed Heaton to replicate his club form for his country if Southgate decides to leave out Joe Hart.

“Tom has been world class in the last few weeks, made some huge saves and helped us get the points on the board. He deserves a chance. He's an in-form keeper and doing well but it will be difficult [to get in] because I'm sure Joe has been doing really well in Italy. But if Tom 's called upon I'm sure he'll be ready.”

England train at St George's Park before Scotland clash

Tue, November 8, 2016

England have been training at St George's Park ahead of their match against Scotland on Friday

Chelsea and Southampton youngsters Nathaniel Chalobah, James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond have joined the England senior squad in training

Keane thinks England should beat the Scots – providing they keep their cool.

"I feel if we play our game we'll have too much for them,” he said. “They might come and try to upset a few players but we have spoken about it, we know we have to keep our heads and not get involved. If we stick to what we're best at I'm sure the result will come.

"When I saw the video clips of past matches with Scotland it gives you a feeling of how big a game it is for the fans and the history in the game.

"It's the oldest international fixture and to see the players who have played in the past, it fills you with pride. When we step out there all the players will be right up for it. It's a big game for bragging rights for the players as well as the fans.”